CVE-2025-13687 in DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data
Summary
by MITRE • 03/03/2026
IBM DataStage on Cloud Pak for Data 5.1.2 through 5.3.0 could allow an authenticated user to execute arbitrary commands with normal user privileges on the system due to improper validation of user supplied input through the user-defined function component.
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Analysis
by VulDB Data Team • 03/04/2026
This vulnerability exists within IBM DataStage running on Cloud Pak for Data versions 5.1.2 through 5.3.0, representing a critical command injection flaw that could be exploited by authenticated users. The vulnerability stems from inadequate input validation mechanisms within the user-defined function component, which fails to properly sanitize or validate user-supplied data before processing. This improper validation creates an avenue for malicious input to be interpreted as executable commands rather than mere data, allowing attackers to leverage this weakness for arbitrary code execution. The flaw specifically affects the system's handling of user-defined functions where input parameters are not sufficiently filtered or escaped, creating a direct path for command injection attacks.
The technical implementation of this vulnerability aligns with CWE-77 and CWE-94, which classify it as a command injection vulnerability and a code injection weakness respectively. Attackers could exploit this by crafting malicious input within user-defined function parameters that gets executed in the context of the application process. The vulnerability operates at the application layer where user input flows directly into system command execution contexts without proper sanitization. This type of vulnerability is particularly dangerous because it allows for arbitrary command execution with the privileges of the normal user account, which in many enterprise environments may still possess significant system access rights. The impact is amplified by the fact that the vulnerability affects a widely used data integration platform that typically handles sensitive enterprise data and may operate with elevated privileges within the data processing pipeline.
The operational impact of this vulnerability extends beyond simple command execution to potentially compromise entire data processing workflows and system integrity. An authenticated attacker could leverage this vulnerability to execute system commands that might include file manipulation, process termination, or data exfiltration operations. The attack vector is particularly concerning because it requires only authentication to the system, meaning that any user with legitimate access could potentially exploit this weakness. The vulnerability affects the core data integration capabilities of IBM DataStage, which could lead to data corruption, unauthorized access to sensitive information, or disruption of critical business processes. Organizations using this platform may experience cascading effects where the compromise of a single user-defined function could impact multiple downstream processes and data flows. The vulnerability's presence in Cloud Pak for Data versions indicates a broader platform-wide risk that could affect multiple integrated components and services.
Mitigation strategies for this vulnerability should focus on immediate input validation and sanitization measures, implementing proper parameter escaping, and restricting user-defined function capabilities where possible. Organizations should apply the latest security patches provided by IBM as soon as they become available, while also implementing network segmentation and access controls to limit the potential impact of exploitation. The principle of least privilege should be enforced where user-defined functions are restricted to minimal required permissions, and all input should be validated against strict whitelists rather than relying on blacklisting approaches. Security monitoring should be enhanced to detect anomalous command execution patterns and unusual user activity within the DataStage environment. Additionally, implementing web application firewalls and input validation layers can provide additional defense-in-depth measures. Organizations should also conduct comprehensive security assessments of their DataStage environments to identify and remediate similar input validation weaknesses across other components, as this vulnerability represents a broader pattern of inadequate input sanitization that may exist elsewhere in the platform. The remediation process should include thorough testing to ensure that patch implementations do not disrupt legitimate business functions while maintaining the security posture of the integrated data processing environment.